Alameda County, Oakland, California
Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1874
As the name indicates, the distinctive features of this body of Christians are the keeping of the seventh-day Sabbath, "according to the commandment," as also the doctrine of the early advent of the Lord to judge the world - although no time is fixed for that event. They acknowledge no creed but the Bible, and inscribe upon their banner, " The commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus Christ" They totally abstain from every form of intoxicating beverage, and disfellowship the use of tobacco. They teach abstinence from tea and coffee as a doctrine of health reform, but do not make it compulsory upon members.
The first movement of any prominence by this sect in Oakland, was in April, 1874, when a large tent was pitched at the corner of Broadway and Thirteenth Street, and a series of meetings held. These meetings were conducted by Eld. James White, his wife, Mrs. Ellen G. White, Eld. J. N. Loughborough, and other ministers of the faith - all of whom had but recently come from the East. As a result of this effort, about thirty persons were baptized, which, added to a few individuals who had before embraced this faith, formed the nucleus of the present church. This company rented a hall at the corner of Broadway and Twelfth Streets, and continued to hoid regular meetings, and were represented in the State Conference the following September.
It was not, however, until May 16, 1875, that a permanent organization was effected. At a meeting held for this purpose on that date, Eld. J. N. Loughborough presided, and explained fully the doctrines of the church and the requirements from its members. Thirty-nine names were attached to the "covenant," and the following officers were chosen: Elder, D. B. Rickey; Deacon, John I. Tay; Clerk, George Manuel. During the remainder of the year 1875, sixteen more members were added to the church-roll, and early in January, 1876, a movement was started by the State Conference to secure a suitable location for a house of worship. After careful canvassing, the very desirable northeast corner of Clay and Thirteenth Streets was selected, and purchased at a cost of four thousand dollars. Here a neat and commodious building was erected, costing about twelve thousand dollars.
On the 6th day of April, 1876, the legal incorporation of the society was effected, under the name of the Seventh-day Adventist Church of Oakland, and a code of by-laws adopted. The first Board of Trustees was composed of the following persons: D. B. Rickey, President; George Manuel, Secretary; G. A. Baker, Treasurer; John I. Tay and W. C White. The present Board (1883) consists of W. C. White, President; W. N. Glenn, Secretary; John I. Tay, Treasurer; E. J. Waggoner, and G. A. Baker.
The first Pastor of the church was Eld, J. N. Loughborough, who held the position until 1879, since which time Eld. J. H. Waggoner has very acceptably discharged the duties. The officers of the church for 1883 are: J. H. Waggoner, Pastor; C. H. Jones and E. J. Waggoner, Elders; John I. Tay and W. N. Glenn, Deacons; J. B. Leavitt, Clerk The membership at this writing is one hundred and eighty. One of the first, acts of the society was the organization of a Sabbath-school, which has been maintained with a good degree of success, having a well-selected library. The school has a membership of one hundred and seventy. There are five divisions, and twenty-seven classes. The present officers are: C. H. Jones, Superintendent, and E. J.Waggoner, Assistant; Miss Emma Boyd, Secretary, with Miss Alice Morrison, Assistant; and V. M. Donaldson, Librarian.
Alameda County, California,
Including Its
Geology, Topography, Soil and Productions
Oakland.: M.W. Wood Publisher, 1883
Transcribed by Julie Appletoft, November, 2007 Pages 732-733
Archive Church Records ~ Archive Index
This Web page is sponsored on behalf of the California portion of The USGenWeb Project by Richard S. Wilson. Although believed to be correct as presented, if you note any corrections, changes, additions, or find that any links provided on this page are not functioning properly please contact the Archive Coordinator for prompt attention to the matter.